The Equalizer The Complete Collection

This is a review for the $29.99 Equalizer Complete Collection set that was released by VEI on October 27, 2016. The Equalizer is one of my favorite shows. However, I hesitated purchasing The Complete Series when it was released by VEI a few years ago after reviews of bad discs, etc. and the price. Recently, I've been wanting to get this show on DVD so I would check amazon to see if they had a deal and to my surprise VEI released a complete series set for only $29.99 last week. The other set is around $60 I think. It was a deal I couldn't refuse so I bought it. Ordered it on Friday, was delivered to me on Monday. First thing I did was check the discs and I had no problems at all. There is a difference between this complete series set and the previous ones though. I believe the other sets had 6 discs for each season while the new set has 4 discs per season. That means half of the discs now have 5 episodes on a disc and the other half has 6 episodes per disc. Except for Season 2 for some reason which was 6 Discs although that could have been an error on their part, but I'm not complaining. The video quality isn't bad at all. The episodes appear to be complete minus some music replacement which I'm sure has already been mentioned by other reviewers. I've posted the running times below. Only problem with this set was on the back it says there is The Story of The Equalizer bonus feature and it doesn't seem to be on any of the discs. Also the commentary on the pilot isn't here like it is on other sets, but bonus features aren't a deal breaker for me.Season 1Disc 11. 48:252. 48:103. 48:224. 47:075. 48:32Disc 26. 46:487. 48:308. 48:289. 48:3010. 48:3011. 48:27Disc 312. 48:5413. 48:3114. 48:1915. 48:3016. 47:45Disc 417. 48:3218. 48:4019. 48:2620. 48:2121. 48:2822. 48:22Season 2Disc 11. 48:032. 47:533. 47:544. 47:58Disc 25. 48:076. 47:487. 47:568. 48:03Disc 39. 48:0610. 47:4611. 47:5812. 48:47Disc 413. 48:0814. 47:5215. 47:5516. 48:00Disc 517. 48:2418. 49:5019. 48:0120. 48:19Disc 621. 48:0222. 48:12Season 3Disc 11. 48:362. 51:313. 47:274. 47:045. 47:31Disc 26. 48:017. 48:028. 48:409. 47:4410. 48:1911. 47:31Disc 312. 48:1913. 47:4314. 47:5315. 47:1016. 48:32Disc 417. 47:2718. 47:5119. 47:1520. 47:4421. 47:0322. 48:10Season 4Disc 11. 47:142. 47:433. 47:544. 46:385. 47:58Disc 26. 47:017. 47:228. 47:009. 47:4210. 46:5311. 47:14Disc 312. 47:3313. 47:3114. 46:5815. 46:5316. 46:53Disc 417. 47:3318. 47:3519. 46:5220. 46:1621. 47:0722. 46:48

I suppose the ideal review is 50% about the show and 50% about the quality of the DVD, packaging, etc. Well in this case, "The Equalizer" is so great as a show, that they could have mailed it in Ziploc bags and it would get five stars. Sorry, I just think everything Edward Woodward touched instantly became magic. And the directing and Stewart Copeland music made this thing nigh unto perfect for "80's TV.

I'm not quite through the series (will update once I am) on DVD, but I've already noticed a few things. First off, I love the series (would give it a 5). The DVDs are quite good (considering the age of the recordings), but I have noticed a few issues most of the way through 3 seasons. First off, if you hit "play all," the intros (what precedes the theme song) to the episodes are not played--except in a few instances where it is the first episode on that disc. Often the intros are just a summary of scenes from the episodes, but on a few occasions it is actually the start of the episode. Also, on a few episodes, there seems to be issues with the DVDs that I have where a scene freezes up or skips a few seconds. Thankfully if I rewind or fast forward it, I have been able to watch the skipped/frozen sections, but I still didn't like the problem. So far the last big issue I've found (at least on my DVDs) is that the "Mystery of Manon" (not "Memories of Manon") parts one and two are mislabeled. So what is labeled part one of the episode is actually part two and vice versa. Since these episodes are on different discs, that means that you have to go through the whole intro for the disc (VEI, warnings about video quality, etc.) to watch once you change discs back and forth. I was glad that both episodes are included, even if mislabeled--for a moment I worried that they had just put part two in the package twice though I decided to check what was supposed to be episode two before letting myself get too worried.[Update 3/31/15: I have now watched all the seasons and the DVD issues seemed to mainly be with the earlier seasons. I started watching the other show included on the extra DVD and now wish that I had just ordered the complete Equalizer instead of this limited edition which includes "The New Professionals." EW is, as always, great, but the show is pretty horrible. I may never watch all the episodes because it was so bad. I did, however, enjoy the interviews about "The Equalizer," though it is sad that they didn't do the interviews before EW passed away, so we don't get to hear from him.]2nd update (8/21/15): With my new blu-ray player, I had no freeze-ups in the first two seasons (I have not yet watched the final 2 seaons on the new player) though the little imperfections of the picture were a bit more noticeable and the overall picture was sharper. I also didn't notice the intros being cut off with my new player.

This is for the 16 DVD set currently priced at $29.95. It was great to see this series finally available on DVD, but this particular version is plagued by a rather horrible transfer. The picture, is at best, VHS quality. A disappointment. I do not know if the other versions that are available, boast better picture quality or not. But best check out the other reviews, for each specific version, to see which one has the best transfer. 5 stars for the series. 3 stars for the picture quality on the 16 disc set.

This was edited in May 2019 to correct a small detail.I'll start with the good. The entire show is here, all in very good quality (as good as the old tapes could provide...... expect occasional small hiccup). Both picture and sound quality is as good as possible. Being the UK release, NO ORIGINAL MUSIC IS CUT, which is half the reason I got this one (the other being higher resolution). The bonus material is a neat inclusion, considering they did not have to film any of it. Original pilot version is also included.Unfortunately, the release is not perfect. Firstly, the first season. Fabulous Films, gods bless their souls, in their infinite brilliance decided to just copy+paste the work done by Universal Playback, from when THEY released season 1. Unfortunately, that means that the picture is interlaced by default. They could have done some digital magic, and restored the original progressive frames (the original old source WAS progressive after all, they filmed on FILM). Now, it is still possible to get the progressive image, IF your player knows how to combine every 2 fields. Sadly, VLC (as of 2018) still does not have a proper reverse telecine option for PAL. And that is how I watch the show. Other filters can do an almost perfect job, but still........ Fabulous, you missed the chance to do a perfect job. 2019 EDIT: looks like episode 2 of season 2 (on the same disk as episode 1, obviously) is presented as interlaced, while the prior episode is progressive. My educated guess is someone somewhere messed up with the flags (the tiny pieces of data before each "chapter" in a MPEG-2 video stream which tell the player if the footage is to be played "as is", or apply interlacing). That means if your player of choice can ignore flags and play the supposed progressive footage on the disk, you are golden.The bonus 40 minute video also combines progressive 576 25p and 576 50i footages, which is something they could have fixed (in the end, it is up to you to do their job). An earlier (shot while the show was still on TV I believe) promo video including an interview with Stewart Copeland is NOT included. Perhaps they could not find it, forgot it existed, or could not get the rights. Still, it sucks.All in all, a VERY complete set with small flaws, but at least those are flaws you can fix yourself.

The Equalizer TV series starring Edward Woodward, this box set contains all 88 episodes of this popular show from the 1980's. It offers superb entertainment for many hours, set entirely in New York, each episode provides the viewer with a different story. Some of the episodes are split across two installments, but each one shows dramatic scenes of the rough and gritty street life of New York as it was. The Equalizer with the help of his friends from the CIA offer assitance to lots of people who are their wits end. The acting especially from Mr Woodward is 1st class.

Very good series with lots of very different subjects covered. there's lots of the usual spy episodes as well as organised crime with murder drugs and kidnappings. But there are also (sometimes hard hitting) episodes on contemporary issues such as racism, gangs, underage runaways, prostitution and bullying. Very varied which keeps the interest levels up.

A great trip down memory lane to one of my favourite old tv shows. Edward Woodward is personable as the Equalizer, sort of like your favourite uncle. He's going up against some real bad men, and delivers justice in a satisfying way.

This box set had everything i was hoping for from it. It is well packaged and presented in thick plastic boxes for each individual series in a cardboard sleeve. The series themselves play well enough for DVD format and a series from the 80's.